Wednesday 9 April 2014

The Daisy Coronation…!

Of course, as you can imagine, Archimedes' special friends the ducks, insisted on attending his coronation ceremony too. Aunt Mildred had tried in vain flapping her umbrella at them to make them behave, 'so noisy, no one will hear anything that anyone says - if you are coming you must sit quietly.'

Well, as anyone who has had a duck for a friend knows, telling an excited duck to sit quietly is an impossibility!  'Perhaps we should let them celebrate first, then perhaps they will want to settle down naturally?' Uncle Humperdinck began to wave his arms vigorously at the ducks as he started singing 'Toodleoodle oomp pa pa' very loudly. Soon everyone, both gnome and duck, was singing and quacking as loudly as possible, 'Hooray for Archimedes' shouted Uncle Humerpdinck 'Quack, quack, honk, Hooray' roared back the ducks and gnomes.

Uncle Humperdinck was proved right, because it seems that everyone naturally wanted to sit down and have a little rest after such energetic singing. Then with the golden flecks of light floating through the trees and touching the mossy seats with warmth, everyone settled down and the ceremony began in earnest.

Slowly the gnomes began to hum a special song just for Archimedes, a gentle, light breeze of a song full of harmony and kindness and the peace of light on a summer's morning - of hope and the beauty of a truly noble heart.

Archimedes sat in his chair with his head held up to the sunlight and with his eyes shut, ' so beautiful My Dears, so beautiful, thank you for such a special gift'. As the music faded away, a brightly dressed party of young gnomes came forward in procession, each of them was holding a shiny bright daisy which they laid at the foot of Archimedes' throne.

Then a group of acrobatic gnomes burst into the centre of the clearing, some even swinging in on ivy ropes as they threw primrose petals in the air. 'My favourite bit' whispered Hortensia to Archibold, 'doesnt he look wonderful?' And indeed Archimedes did look wonderful, as very carefully, Aunt Mildred and Uncle Humperdinck took the green Cape of Hope and fastened it about his shoulders.

Then came the most solemn moment of the ceremony, the young gnomes came forward again this time carrying The Daisy Crown on a green cushion. Suddenly Aunt Mildred turned around, 'this year, because of their great kindness and courage, we have decided that Hortensia and Archibold shall crown The Daisy King!' She winked at Hortensia who was speechless with surprise and Archibold, who was pink with pride held Hortensia's hand as they gently walked towards Archimedes who had just remembered to take his hat off in time.

Together they held the crown up in the sunlight and then gently placed it on Archimedes' head. Then as a giant roar of celebration, quacking, singing, dancing, hat tossing took hold, Archimedes stood up - 'Long may we live in joy, Long may we live in hope, long may we live in peace!' and with that the dancing really did begin!!!